Get Lit! Success in Writing Informative/Explanatory Essays (High School, 8 Wks)

In alignment with most state English Language Arts and/or literacy standards and through lecture, discussion, and independent activities, scholars will 

1) Reading Standard: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

2) Writing Standard 1: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

3) Writing Standard 2: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

4) Speaking & Listening Standard: Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.

Coach Demeka is a published author and a former National Board-Certified Adolescent Literature & Composition, African American History, and college writing instructor. She held National Board Certification in Adolescent Literature & Composition and certification in Educational Leadership. A former specialist for a state Department of Education, district and school administrator, AP teacher, and college writing instructor, Coach Demeka is currently a college counselor and a teacher of leaders and teachers who plans and facilitates a variety of training, including RAP-for-Success in Writing and BWA Text Talk workshops. 

The homework will be assigned as follows:
Class 1: Prior to class, complete critical reading. After class, finish brainstorming ideas.
Class 2: Finish writing the informative/explanatory introductory paragraph.
Class 3: Finish outlining the informative/explanatory body paragraphs.
Class 4: Finish writing the informative/explanatory body paragraphs.
Class 5: Finish writing the informative/explanatory conclusion paragraph.
Class 6: Finish editing and revising the informative/explanatory essay.
Class 7: Use peer reviews and feedback to improve the informative/explanatory essay draft. Submit the final essay for the Writer’s Walk (homeschoolers will submit final drafts for a rubric score).
Class 8: Continue applying the strategies learned to write informative/explanatory essays in your high school courses, and sign up for the next Success-in-Writing course to learn how to write another type of essay.  

**DUE DATES ARE FIRM**
The teacher has additional courses that she teaches, and duties and responsibilities related to her non-Outschool employment; thus, it is necessary for her to assign due dates so that she may give and return feedback in a timely manner. Feedback will not be given for any work that is submitted after the due date. 

For all learners, the teacher will conduct informal checks for understanding and provide constructive, informal feedback during whole-group discussion and learner shares and via classroom posts. 

For homeschoolers, the teacher also provides formal feedback via digital post-its and rubrics. Homeschool parents who desire a course grade, please inform the teacher at the time of enrollment. Homeschool learners will receive weekly formative assessments via post-its (e.g., checklists) and a summative assessment via rubric for the final essay. The teacher will use the post-it and rubric scores to assign a cumulative grade.

**DUE DATES ARE FIRM**
As the teacher has additional courses that she teaches and duties and responsibilities related to her non-Outschool employment, it is necessary for her to assign due dates so that she may give and return feedback in a timely manner. Any work that is submitted after the due date will not be evaluated. 

55 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 1 - 2 hours per week outside of class.

Aside from the teacher-provided writing resources and notebook (PDFs, Google slides or Google Docs) and teacher-provided text excerpts, the learners will not use any resources external to Outschool.